After a rough 5 game losing streak against the top 3 teams
in the league, the Brock Reds were extra motivated in a 2 game series with our
local rivals, the Brock Green.
Both games were extremely close with both games being in
doubt right up to the final minute. Fortunately for us, the Reds came out on
top in both games.
The 1st game was played last Thursday night in Cannington. Both teams brought their “A” games in this one with local bragging rights on the line.
The first period was intense with both teams getting lots of shots but both goalies putting on a show as the period ended in a 0-0 tie.
In the 2nd period the Reds would strike first with a beauty by Andomeit at the midway mark of the period.
But late in the period the Green machines would storm right back taking advantage of a bad line change to go in 4 on none to put one past Pardy and tie the game at 1-1.
The 3rd was yet another see-saw battle with both teams battling hard to get the go ahead goal. Finally, with just over 2 minutes left to go, Payne would make some dandy moves to sneak in all alone and put one past Flood to give the Reds a 2-1 lead.
The lead would not last long however as the Green came back yet again and snuck one past Pardy to tie the game at 2 with just over 1 minute to go.
But just 30 seconds later, Marshall would take the puck from his own end and made a magnificent end-to-end rush and finished it off with a beauty deke to give the Reds the 3-2 lead with just 57 seconds left.
The Greens would battle hard to tie it but would come up just short as our Reds hung on for a hard fought victory.
The 2 teams would battle again Tuesday night in Beaverton. Once again it was a very close tight checking affair with both teams getting lots of chances.
Both goalies put on a clinic in this one as the 2 teams were held scoreless into the 3rd period.
The Reds would finally get one at the 8 minute mark as Andomeit would get his 2nd of the series off a rebound in front that just made it over the line to give the Reds a 1 goal lead.
The Greens would fight back hard with some real nice chances but Pardy and the Reds defense were solid keeping the Greens off the board.
Both teams would continue to battle back and forth until the final minute when Cohoon would finally jam one in just under the pad of Flood to put the Reds up by 2.
That would be all the scoring they needed as the Reds hung on for a 2-0 victory. Pardy would get his 4th shut-out of the year in the victory.
A great pair of games played by both teams.
Once again the Reds defense of Marshall, Totton, Wilson, Haecker and Underwood, held the fort with several nice stops and some solid stick work at both ends of the rink while Pardy was rock solid between the pipes.
The forwards were relentless in the attacking zone while also playing a sound defensive game and showed some nice passing in both games.
Andomeit, Farell, Payne and Lo Presti made several nice rushes and created several scoring chances down low.
Mitchell played some of his best hockey of the year showing a lot of grit and hussle to get the puck deep into the attacking zone while also battling hard in the corners.
Birchard, Beattie and Cohoon were tenacious on the forecheck and battled hard in front of the net with all 3 getting some nice scoring chances culminating with the Cohoon goal in game #2.
Parry also played some of his best hockey this year making some nice checks and chipping the puck out of our end and dumping the puck into the opposing zone.
An overall great effort by all. Great work also by the Green team!
Next up the Wild travel to Norwood for a tournament February 10-11. We can look forward to a potential rematch with the Brock Greens in the Final on Sunday!
Let’s go Wild!!
PS: For those who follow my write-ups, I must apologize for falling behind on my homework over the past few weeks. I will try to get back on track going forward. Thanks everyone.